Darvaza, the fire crater, is called the Hell´s Door by the locals. Turkmenistan is very rich in natural resources.
Currently a sovereign country, Turkmenistan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. It was during rule of Soviet Russia, back in 1971 when geologists were
conducting gas drilling in Kara-Kum desert and discovered an underground chamber close to the village of Darvaza
(known in Turkmen as Derweze, but sometimes also referred to as Darvaz). The discovery of the chamber was accidental and resulted in drilling rig collapsing,
leaving giant gas crater filled with poisonous gases exposed to the world outside. The concentration of gases within the crater was high so nobody dared to go down there.
It was then when someone came with an idea to light the gas in the crater on fire so as to burn it before the poisonous fumes engulf the nearby town of Darvaza.
This project was presented by Leonardo Mendoza! Excellent job, Leo!!! He picked Simón Ochoa as the next Student of the Month!
Photos of Ms Ele